- Contributed by听
- ritsonvaljos
- People in story:听
- Joseph Casson, Robert Casson, David Casson, Mary Ellen Casson, David Casson (nephew)
- Location of story:听
- Ryes (Bazenville), Normandy, France
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A3879732
- Contributed on:听
- 10 April 2005
The WW2 Cemetery at Ryes (Bazenville) in Normandy, France. These are the headstones of Joseph and Robert Casson, two brothers from Whitehaven, Cumbria following a commemorative service by Normandy Veterans Association (West Cumbria Branch). (Photo used by courtesy of Mr David Casson)
Introduction
This short article is about two brothers, Joseph and Robert Casson from Whitehaven in what was then the county of Cumberland (now Cumbria). They died three weeks apart during the Battle of Normandy and lie next to each other in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Ryes, Bazenville, Calvados, France. Ryes is a short distance to the north-east of Bayeux and to the south of Arromanches where the 50th Division landed on D-Day.
Two sons and brothers of Whitehaven
Joseph and Robert were two of the sons of David and Mary Ellen Casson of Woodhouse, Whitehaven. Robert Casson was a member of No 45 Royal Marine Commandos and died on D-Day, Tuesday 6th June 1944. Joseph was a member of the 9th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry and died exactly three weeks later on Tuesday 27th June 1944. On each of their headstones is engraved the badges of their respective units, the DLI and the RM Commandos. When they died, Robert was 25 years old and Joseph 18 years old.
From time to time, relatives, friends and fellow West Cumbrians have visited the cemetery at War Cemetery at Ryes to pay tribute to the fallen victims of the Battle of Normandy, and in particular Joseph and Robert. On these occasions a poppy wreath or a poppy cross has been laid on their graves and a silent tribute made.
On a couple of occasions members, friends and supporters of the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association have visited the cemetery and held a short service to pay tribute to Joseph and Robert Casson and remember their sacrifice that led to the liberation of Western Europe. This article has been submitted to the memory of Joseph and Robert Casson, two of the Fallen of World War Two.
Further information about Joseph and Robert has been posted to this site in the stories A3723257, A3879787 and A3879804. If anyone who served with either Joseph or Robert has further information or any memories about them it would be interesting to hear from them.
Conclusion
I wish to acknowledge and thank the contribution of David Casson, a nephew of Joseph and Robert for sharing his photographs and information about his uncles so that this article can be submitted. The terms of 鈥淭he People鈥檚 War鈥 website have been read and understood.
鈥極ne should never forget鈥
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